A recommendation for a much nicer lens hood scenario for the P7700

Hello all:

I've always been a strong proponent for the use of a good lens hood - in particular, a lens hood that looks "correct" on a camera and doesn't interfere with the visual lines of the camera design.

Well, unfortunately - at least IMO - the Nikon designed lens hood for the P7700 (link right below), just doesn't look good enough.  It flares out entirely too much and it definitely interferes with the visual design lines of the camera (now some may disagree - whatever, it's just an opinion).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/889011-REG/Nikon_25858_HN_CP17_Lens_Hood.html

But what if you could have a lens hood solution that:

A.  Cost half as much as the $40 USD charge that Nikon wants, and...

B.  Looks sooooo much better on the camera without detracting from the overall design of the camera body - and not dwarfing the front of the lens, and...

C.  Does a great job - whether in wide angle or telephoto mode - with no vignetting whatsoever.

Here are my suggestions below - along with links and photos on how easily you can do this.  As always, to get a better view of the image, click on the view "original image" link below each photo.

To begin with, here are some photos of the lens hood I'm talking about.  All it involves is a 40.5 - 58 MM step up ring, a metal 58 MM lens hood, and a 62 MM lens cap (which goes over the top of the hood.

OK - you can get all of these things on eBay for less than half the price you would pay for the stock Nikon Lens hood - which again, IMO, looks nowhere as nice as this one.

You can find the step-up ring here:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=40.5+-+58+MM+step+up+rings&_sacat=625&_from=R40

You can find the 58 MM wide angle lens hood here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Metal-Wide-Angle-58mm-Screw-in-Lens-Hood-Cap-/200844296712?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec340c208

Now note - the lens hood comes with the lens cap already, but if you want one that says NIKON on it (like I did), you can find the 62 MM Nikon monogrammed lens hood right here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/58mm-Center-Pin-ch-Snap-On-Front-Lens-Cap-for-Nikon-LC58-free-ship-US-seller-/120995359814?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2be2ac46

I posted the US eBay links above - if you live in other parts of the world, then just punch in the same data in your eBay search engines, and I'm sure you will pull up the same things.

I've been using these types of combinations for years.  Here's the P7100 (using a 3rd party barrel tube adapter) and this lens hood - along with the P7700 here:

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Have a great one....
Sincerely,
Ben Herrmann
North Carolina
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